Prayer Service Planned For Duesterhaus

Friends and family of Tom Duesterhaus, are planning a prayer service at his childhood church in Vienna. 

The service is planned for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at8601 Wolftrap Road, in Vienna.

Friends, colleagues and students are encouraged to attend to pray for Duesterhaus' safety and well-being, family said.

Duesterhaus never returned to the McLean home he shared with other Youth Apostles last Friday night. He was spotted

Bishop O'Connell High School administrators It's not clear when Duesterhaus, who began teaching English at the school in 1999, was told about the decision. President Kathleen Prebble said in an e-mail Saturday morning that she could not comment on individual personnel matters.

Duesterhaus' father, Rich, said earlier this week Fairfax County Police also said

Over the course of the weekend, parents, old friends and students called out for a gathering where they could offer prayer for Duesterhaus' safe return, and find support and comfort in the company of others who want the "wayshower ... mentor [and] person of great authenticity" to come home.

"Tom Duesterhaus is one of the most wonderful teachers my daughter ever had," one parent wrote. "I'd like to gather peacefully with other parents, students, family and faculty and grieve the loss of Mr. D from the school ... And to thank him for being a light in darkness for so many teenagers struggling to make sense of life, through the study of literature and language."

Duesterhaus' father, Rich, says there haven't been any reported sightings of his son since a week ago today, when two people reported they saw him near homeless shelters in Virginia Beach.

"We have come to realize that Tom may really just want some time away to reflect," Rich Duesterhaus said in an e-mail. "There is no evidence of any foul play nor is he guilty of any criminal offenses so we don’t want the search for him to be a 'manhunt,' but just a careful watch and outreach for him so that he knows his family and his fellow Youth Apostles welcome him back when he is ready. We of course would welcome a report that he is ok and or a call from him or someone with him or who has seen him."

The Duesterhaus family is asking those who plan to attend to RSVP to the event on Facebook.